what to build??

[Mightyfordranger]

ok so heres the deal I want to be at the trail ride next year. That being said I have two options on what I can build for this purpose.

1. I have a really straight a clean 1st gen ranger with a little 2.3 its a great driver. I was going to swap a dana 30 in it and run a Sammy T case.


2. my brother in law has an old YJ wrangler that needs some work but I can easily get it ready in plenty of time.


ok now I know that this a rbv trail ride but I don't want to destroy my nice 1st gen to wheelin with you guys. let me know what you guys think. if I do go with my 1st gen ill pull the bed and build a temporary one to at least save it from body damage. with a little cage on the back and what not.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Seems like beater Rangers are common around here. Why not pick up a beater and get that ready?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Cheap mods to YJ, when done there is your D30...

 

[rusty ol ranger]

YJ.

Dont destroy a nice 1st gen.

Plus, ridin is ridin no matter what youre in. Yes guys give each other shit but at the end of the day, they all break, they all get stuck, and they all end up pullin someone out.

 

[adsm08]

Agreed, YJ. Leave the clean 1st gen alone.

 

[91stranger]

I would pick the YJ.

 

[muddypunk]

Being a Jeep guy that D.D's a 03 Ranger and beats a Jeep in the weekends YJ all the way.
Picture of my wheeler Cherokee.

Sent from my XT1609 using Tapatalk

 

[Mightyfordranger]

ok then ill see about gettin that yj off of my brother in law then when im done I even have the fun parts to 4wd swap my 1st gen. I still have that black pile that's In my avatar but it needs a new small block and axle swap and a ton of other stuff seems like that yj would work better it already runs and everything.

Edit: now even though ill 4wd swap my 1st gen I still wont beat it. I do have a 89 B2 but it came from Nevada and its also to clean to beat on I do have a winch bumper on it but its mostly for recovery and moving things I cant push around myself.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I'm going to throw my $.02 in to the change bucket.

I know you want to build bumpers for Ford Rangers. If you're going to attend a gathering where you know there's going to be a lot of Ranger owners, then why not show off your work?? Consider this:

Here's a 2002 Ford Ranger FX4 for $1,700

https://sandusky.craigslist.org/cto/d/2002-fx4-ranger-super-cab/6648389026.html

That comes with a 4.0 SOHC, 4.10 gears, Torsen limited slip, and a manual transfer case. It has high mileage, but that truck was built for offroad. There are a lot of those body styles around versus the 1st generation, and would give you something to use to mock up bumpers on.

Want something cheaper, here's a 2000 Ford Ranger 4x4 for $500

https://cleveland.craigslist.org/cto/d/2000-ford-ranger-4x4-xlt/6650499899.html

Needs a front bumper and drivers side front fender.

 

[fastpakr]

Those are good options. If it's just a choice between the 1st gen and the YJ, the YJ all the way. If other options are on the table, the links Jim posted sound much better.

 

[Shran]

The YJ is a good platform to build off of. Lots of flat sheet metal that's easy to repair if necessary, tons of aftermarket support. Decent drivetrain options. Some YJs have carbureted engines, though, plus relatively small axles and leaf springs all around.

I wouldn't build another 1st gen Ranger wheeler if I had the choice. It would have to be a 2nd gen or newer.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

If you do the YJ gotta do the Jurassic Park paint scheme...

If you are wanting to get into building Ranger parts a newer one of those would be good for mock-up and to showcase said parts.

 

[Mightyfordranger]

I'm going to throw my $.02 in to the change bucket.

I know you want to build bumpers for Ford Rangers. If you're going to attend a gathering where you know there's going to be a lot of Ranger owners, then why not show off your work?? Consider this? QUOTE]

agreed Jim I should go with a newer truck. This other ranger that I have would need a new engine and lots of other work. The new 4.0s make good power enough to turns 33s, and if I pick up one of those trucks it will save a lot of time. As well as about 3k on building a new small block.